Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata), also known as red ginger, is an herbaceous ornamental plant of great aesthetic and commercial value in the landscaping and tropical floriculture market. It stands out for its continuous flowering throughout the year, with beautiful and durable inflorescences in red or pink, making it highly desirable both as a cut flower and for adorning gardens, becoming one of the most sought-after and cultivated species, especially in tropical and subtropical climates.
Alpinia purpurata is native to the tropical forests of Asia, specifically from the Western Pacific region, north of Australia. Its native areas include New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck and Bougainville Archipelagos. Native to humid tropical forest environments, the species has developed in conditions of high and constant temperatures, high relative humidity, and soils rich in organic matter.
Its natural habitat is characterized by temperatures between 72°F (22°C) and 95°F (35°C), with a maximum nighttime temperature of 81°F (27°C) and a minimum of 64°F (18°C), and relative humidity between 60% and 80%. The adaptability of Red Ginger to different light conditions in its natural habitat has allowed it to thrive both in clearings with greater sun exposure and in shaded environments under the forest canopy.
In addition to its value as an ornamental, Red Ginger carries a deep cultural significance in various regions where it was introduced and naturalized. In Samoa, it is officially recognized as the national flower, a symbol of beauty and identity of the archipelago, named “Teuila flower” and widely used in traditional celebrations and civic ceremonies.
In Hawaii, its red and pink bracts are widely used in the making of the famous “leis” – the traditional flower necklaces that symbolize hospitality, respect, and affection, being offered as a welcome to visitors or in special celebrations. The exceptional durability of its inflorescences has made Red Ginger particularly valued for funeral tributes in various Pacific cultures, where it is often seen in cemeteries on graves, representing both respect for the deceased and the continuity of life.
Red Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, which includes other economically important species such as edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). The genus name Alpinia honors the Italian naturalist and physician Prospero Alpini (1553–1617), who was prominent in the study of Eastern plants during the Renaissance, especially those of medicinal use from Egypt.
The denomination of the specific epithet “purpurata” refers to the predominant coloring of the floral bracts, which range from intense red to purplish pink, being a striking and distinctive characteristic of this ornamental species. Originally described as Guillainia purpurata by Vieillard, it was later transferred to the genus Alpinia by Karl Moritz Schumann, a German taxonomist specialized in Zingiberaceae, consolidating its current nomenclature as Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum.
Red Ginger exhibits vigorous growth, forming clumps that can reach up to 13 feet (4 meters) in height and approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) in diameter. It is a perennial herbaceous species, with robust and thick underground rhizomes, which serve as storage and vegetative propagation. These thick, horizontal rhizomes emit shoots that form new aerial culms, giving the plant an expansive characteristic, with sympodial growth and a great capacity to occupy space in the garden. The aerial structures are composed of pseudostems, erect and firm, formed by the overlapping of the leaf sheaths.
The leaves are alternate, simple, with a spiraled arrangement along the pseudostem. They are large leaves, lanceolate in shape with smooth edges, measuring 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) in length and 3 to 5 inches (8 to 12 centimeters) in width. The texture is firm and leathery, with a dark green color and a pronounced shine on the upper surface. The central vein is prominent and serves as the support axis for the leaf blade, which displays a slight waviness.
The leaves of Red Ginger emerge from broad, enveloping sheaths that reinforce the structure of the pseudostem, providing rigidity and structure to the entire plant. This leaf arrangement, besides being functional for vertical growth, aesthetically contributes to the sculptural appearance of the species.
The inflorescence of Red Ginger is terminal, erect, and composed of a dense spike, which can reach up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length. Its structure is formed by colorful bracts that envelop small tubular white flowers, often hidden among the bracts. These bracts are primarily responsible for the ornamental value of the plant, displaying vibrant colors ranging from scarlet red to deep pink, depending on the cultivar. The bracts are waxy, rigid, and have a bright sheen, which adds durability to the inflorescence even after harvesting. The actual flowers are discreet, white in color, with zygomorphic symmetry and a helical arrangement along the central axis of the inflorescence.
Red Ginger is monoecious, with bisexual flowers present on the same plant. Flowering occurs continuously throughout the year, although the peak production is associated with months of higher light intensity and elevated relative humidity (spring and summer). This year-round flowering pattern favors its use both in gardens and in commercial production, due to the predictability and consistency of flower availability.
Pollination mainly occurs through the action of insects, such as bees, which are attracted by the intense color of the bracts and the nectar of the inner flowers. Occasionally, pollination by birds, such as hummingbirds and bananaquits, may occur, especially in environments with high biodiversity. After pollination, fruits form, which are dry capsules with longitudinal dehiscence, containing small, dark seeds, but their occurrence in cultivated environments is sporadic and of little ornamental importance.
Red Ginger can be found in different cultivars and varieties, selected mainly for their ornamental characteristics, such as the color and size of the bracts, durability, adaptability to different conditions, as well as the size of the plant.
Among the most popular are:
- ‘Red Ginger’: Characterized by its intensely vibrant red bracts, it is one of the most traditional and widely cultivated varieties. It shows good resistance to direct sunlight exposure and blooms abundantly, making it highly appreciated for use in floral arrangements.
- ‘Pink Ginger’: Displays bracts in soft to medium pink shades, requiring partial shading to maintain the quality and coloration of the inflorescences. Less resistant to full sun than the red variety, it is highly valued for the delicacy of its color.
- ‘Eileen Macdonald’: Features dark pink bracts, and stands out for its ability to produce aerial shoots in the axils of the inflorescences. It has good vegetative growth and is appreciated both for cutting and for landscaping.
- ‘Jungle King’: Belonging to the ‘Ginoza’ group, this red-colored cultivar has excellent stature and resistance, better tolerating full sun. Its inflorescences are larger and more robust, ideal for compositions that require standout elements.
- ‘Jungle Queen’: Also from the ‘Ginoza’ group, it presents light pink bracts and requires cultivation under approximately 30% shading to produce better quality stems. It does not tolerate direct sunlight exposure throughout the year, requiring more careful management.
- ‘Kimi’: Resulting from the cross between ‘Eileen Macdonald’ and ‘Jungle King’, it features a rounded inflorescence, with intense pink bracts with a lighter center, and does not produce aerial shoots. It is appreciated in regions like Hawaii, where it is used both in landscaping and in floral arrangements.
- ‘Raspberry’: This cultivar has dark pink, almost reddish bracts, providing a striking contrast in landscape and floral compositions. Its intense coloration makes it an attractive option for projects seeking visual prominence.
- ‘Tahitian’: Known for its large-sized composite inflorescences, which can reach considerable dimensions, this cultivar originates from Tahiti and is valued for its imposing presence and striking appearance in tropical gardens.
In addition to these, there are dwarf varieties of Alpinia, developed for cultivation in pots, small spaces, and as borders. These smaller varieties maintain the ornamental characteristics of the larger cultivars, making them ideal for indoor environments or gardens with limited space.
In the garden, Alpinia is widely used for its imposing presence, beauty, and functional versatility. Its vertical growth and dense clumps make it an excellent option for mass compositions, creation of plant panels, and visual closure of specific areas of the garden. With a height that can exceed 10 feet (3 meters), it is ideal for forming natural barriers, tropical living fences, and backgrounds for flower beds, providing not only visual impact but also privacy and partial shading to smaller species. In medium and large gardens, Red Ginger can be used as a focal point, standing out for the contrast between the intense green of the foliage and the vibrant red or pink of the inflorescences.
Its use is particularly efficient in transition areas between shaded and sunny environments, such as forest edges, near walls and fences, along walkways, or as a backdrop in compositions with smaller plants. In tropical gardens, it combines with other species of similar appeal such as Etlingera elatior (torch ginger) and Zingiber spectabile (beehive ginger), as well as heliconias and various palms, creating lush scenarios with overlapping shapes, colors, and textures. It also forms visual partnerships with contrasting foliage, such as Calathea, Philodendron, Alocasia, and Strelitzia, adding movement and density to the landscaping. For more elegant projects, it can be paired with tropical grasses and medium-sized ground covers, creating smooth transitions between the upper and lower strata of the garden.
In areas of large balconies and internal patios, Red Ginger can be grown in large pots, provided there is space for rhizome development and an offer of diffused light. In this condition, besides its ornamental function, it serves to moderate the microclimate, provide light shade, and attract pollinators. Its relatively simple maintenance and continuous flowering favor its adoption in long-term, low-intervention landscaping projects. As if its garden exuberance was not enough, it serves a dual function, constantly providing inflorescences for practical floral arrangements that can be used indoors.
Indeed, as a cut flower, Red Ginger stands out for the durability and intense coloration of its inflorescences, characteristics that make it one of the most used tropical species in floral arrangements and room decorations. Its long, firm, and upright inflorescence floral stems allow for sophisticated vertical compositions, often used in table centers, ceremonial events, and tropical bouquets. The vibrant coloration of the bracts remains for up to 15 days after cutting, provided that proper care is taken with hydration and temperature. This resistance to handling and transport, combined with its exotic visual appeal, ensures Red Ginger a steadfast place in both the national and international flower markets, especially in tropical regions where it can be commercially cultivated with high productivity.
Red Ginger thrives in locations with partial shade to full sun, as long as the soil and air moisture levels are adequate. In hot tropical regions, it can be grown under partial shade, which tends to enhance the coloration and durability of the inflorescences. In humid subtropical climates, it grows and flowers well under full sun. The ideal temperature range is between 72°F (22°C) and 86°F (30°C), with little tolerance for cold, frost, or sudden temperature changes. Prolonged drought and strong winds can cause dehydration, burns on the bracts, and a reduction in ornamental quality. In coastal regions, cultivation is possible, provided it is protected from excessive salinity and direct exposure to maritime winds.
Optimal growth occurs in deep, well-drained, sandy-loam soils, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic, with a pH between 5.6 and 6.2. Covering with organic compost every two months and using mulching improves soil structure and promotes flowering. In pots, it is essential to use light substrates with good aeration and balanced water retention, composed of an equal mix of garden soil, washed sand, and organic compost.
Planting of plantlets or rhizomes should ideally be done at the beginning of the rainy season or during periods with mild temperatures and good water availability. The plantlets should be about 16 inches (40 centimeters) tall and have at least four well-formed true leaves. Avoid burying the rhizomes too deeply, which should grow parallel to the ground and close to the surface. Watering should be regular, keeping the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, with special attention during the drier months. Fertilization can be done using balanced formulations such as NPK 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, combined with micronutrients, with monthly applications for the first twelve months, then adjusted based on leaf or soil analysis.
Maintenance includes cleaning pruning to remove dry leaves, exhausted stalks that have already bloomed, and excessive shoots, which stimulates the renewal of the clump. Flower harvesting should be done in the early hours of the day, when the upper third of the bracts is fully expanded, using clean tools to prevent disease spread. Ideally, cut the stalk at the base, near the rhizome, as each stalk only blooms once. Thus, both harvesting and cleaning pruning are carried out at the same time, reducing maintenance.
Red Ginger can be attacked by scale insects, which settle on the stalks and rhizomes, promoting the presence of ants and the appearance of sooty mold. It is also susceptible to fungal infections such as Phytophthora and Pythium, which cause root and collar rot. Mites and viruses transmitted by vectors can also occur, especially under conditions of low humidity or nutritional imbalances. Preventive management with regular inspections and sanitary pruning, promoting lighting and ventilation of the clumps is essential to maintain plant health. The removal and proper treatment of pruning debris help in the prevention of pests and diseases.
Propagation is mainly carried out by division of clumps and rhizomes, a technique that ensures greater vigor and uniformity among plants. Plantlets (runners) that form spontaneously in the axils of the inflorescences can also be used, although the time until the first flowering is longer. Seed multiplication is rare in ornamental cultivation, being of limited interest to nurseries specializing in the creation of new cultivars. Plants derived from the division of rhizomes or clumps may begin flowering between 12 and 15 months after planting, while those originating from axillary shoots tend to flower after three years.
